Concealed-gun law is up to governor now

The strongest reason for people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. No free man shall be debarred the use of arms. -- Thomas Jefferson

Thirty-five states already have laws that allow law-abiding citizens to carry concealed firearms. The Missouri Legislature wants to make it one more.

A bill that would allow Missourians to carry concealed guns passed the Senate last week 23-7 after a similar measure breezed through the House in March on a 108-33 vote.

The bill would allow Missourians who are at least 23 years old to apply to their county sheriff for a permit to carry concealed guns. They must be a U.S. citizen and either live in the state for six months or be stationed here in the armed forces. Applicants must undergo state and federal criminal background checks and pay $100 for a three-year permit. Renewals would cost $50.

The legislation doesn't give carte blanche authorization to carry firearms, and people who shouldn't be allowed to conceal weapons wouldn't be allowed to legally. Permits would be denied to anyone who has been charged or convicted of a felony, a violent misdemeanor or two DWIs in the previous five years.

Permits also would not be given to someone who has been dishonorably discharged from the military, is mentally incompetent or believed by the sheriff to be "a danger to himself or others."

Applicants also must complete an eight-hour training course on handgun safety and marksmanship as well as the safe care, cleaning and storage of firearms. The course must include a live firing exercise at a silhouette target.

Concealed guns would be prohibited in police stations, prisons, courthouses, hospitals, local government meetings, taverns, airports, schools, colleges, within 25 feet of polling places, sports arenas and where a private property owner posts a sign prohibiting them.

If the legislation sounds well-thought-out and reasonable, that's because it is. Even some Democrats are moving delicately to the right on gun control. They have finally realized that to not do so continues to alienate gun owners.

Vermont is the only state in which most law-abiding citizens can carry concealed firearms without obtaining a permit. Gov. Howard Dean, a Democrat, doesn't mind if you carry a gun and boasts that his state has one of the lowest homicide rates in the country.

Unfortunately, our own governor, also a Democrat, disagrees. Bob Holden has promised to shoot down the law with his veto pen. He keeps bringing up the fact that a statewide ballot issue in 1999 that would allow a so-called conceal-and-carry law failed to pass.

But he should be reminded that the issue was the vote was close and that the proposal was defeated in urban areas. It also was before Sept. 11, 2001, which has heightened awareness about protection.

Poll after poll shows that Americans support sensible gun laws. Missouri's bill is a good example.